Openg to replace outgoing Sarawak chief minister?

Since Malaysia’s longest serving chief minister, Sarawak’s Taib Mahmud, has announced his retirement by this month, speculations are rife who will replace him as the leader of the resource-rich state, Malaysia’s largest.

Many observers are expecting deputy president Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg (64), a Malay, who is also state housing and tourism minister, to take over. An engineer by profession, he is the son of Sarawak’s first governor, Tun Abang Haji Openg. Based on seniority in the party, he is seen as the most qualified person to lead the state.

However, Taib Mahmud reportedly has dropped three names behind closed doors as suitable candidates for his succession. Besides Openg, these are second resource planning and environment minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and minister in chief minister’s office and minister of special functions Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

Openg enjoys the support of a solid grassroots base and many Malays and non-Malays alike see him as a truly amicable and competent leader. Rumours say that we is also the preferred choice of the government in Putrajaya. Satem, on the other hand, would also be highly qualified but suffers from poor health and reportedly has a pacemaker. Tengah Ali Hasan could be presented as second in the state in case Openg is chosen as chief minister.

Since Malaysia’s longest serving chief minister, Sarawak’s Taib Mahmud, has announced his retirement by this month, speculations are rife who will replace him as the leader of the resource-rich state, Malaysia’s largest.

Many observers are expecting deputy president Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg (64), a Malay, who is also state housing and tourism minister, to take over. An engineer by profession, he is the son of Sarawak’s first governor, Tun Abang Haji Openg. Based on seniority in the party, he is seen as the most qualified person to lead the state.

However, Taib Mahmud reportedly has dropped three names behind closed doors as suitable candidates for his succession. Besides Openg, these are second resource planning and environment minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and minister in chief minister’s office and minister of special functions Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

Openg enjoys the support of a solid grassroots base and many Malays and non-Malays alike see him as a truly amicable and competent leader. Rumours say that we is also the preferred choice of the government in Putrajaya. Satem, on the other hand, would also be highly qualified but suffers from poor health and reportedly has a pacemaker. Tengah Ali Hasan could be presented as second in the state in case Openg is chosen as chief minister.